Wyoming in Brief

A bill that would let big game hunters in Wyoming wear fluorescent pink has passed the state Legislature.

Senate File 61 received final approval Friday on a 39-21 vote in the state House. It now goes to Gov. Matt Mead.

Under current state law, big game hunters must wear blaze orange as a safety measure to help distinguish themselves for other hunters.

Supporters of the legislation say the additional fluorescent pink color gives hunters a choice. In addition, one textile expert testified that fluorescent pink is superior to blaze orange in terms of visibility during fall hunting.

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The state Legislature has approved a measure that would require Wyoming K-12 schools to provide all students with computer science instruction.

Senate File 29 now heads to Gov. Matt Mead’s desk for his consideration.

Under the bill, schools would be required to provide computer science instruction to all students in each grade and provide standards on what students at each grade level are expected to master in computer science. The new course will be offered by the 2022-23 school year.

State schools Superintendent Jillian Balow supports the bill, saying it will help prepare Wyoming students for the well paid technology jobs of the future.

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A new law will help Wyoming counties that need to collect unpaid taxes.

Gov. Matt Mead signed the bill into law Wednesday.

The Gillette News Record reported that the law will allow counties to deduct “extraordinary costs to collect taxes” before the tax is distributed.

Campbell County Commissioner Rusty Bell said the law gives counties room to spend extra time and money on collecting those unpaid taxes since they won’t be overwhelmed by the cost.

He said the law benefits the entire state because after the unpaid taxes are collected, most of that money is distributed to the state’s school districts.

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The Wyoming Republican Party says it will meet to remove its secretary from office.

Party officials said Thursday that the state GOP executive committee met by teleconference Wednesday and voted to suspend Secretary Charles Curley. The committee voted to hold a state central committee meeting to remove Curley from his position.

Party Chairman W. Frank Eathorne said an “alleged altercation” happened Feb. 23 between Curley and party Executive Director Kristi Wallin.

Party officials say the upcoming meeting will be scheduled based on when a majority of central committee members can meet in person. The meeting won’t be open to the public.